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Abstract
Angiogenic growth factors such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and vascular endothelial
growth factors (VEGFs) are currently targets of intense efforts to inhibit deregulated
blood vessel formation in diseases such as cancer. FGFs and VEGFs exert their effects
via specific binding to cell surface-expressed receptors equipped with tyrosine kinase
activity. Activation of the receptor kinase activity allows coupling to downstream
signal transduction pathways that regulate proliferation, migration and differentiation
of endothelial cells. Inhibitors of FGF and VEGF signalling are currently in clinical
trials. In this article, the current knowledge of FGF- and VEGF-induced signal transduction
that leads to specific biological responses will be summarized. Furthermore, the manner
in which this knowledge is being exploited to regulate angiogenesis will be discussed.